Beste Collega,
It seems to happen earlier and earlier every year. That dreaded time when colleagues and friends start talking about next school year and whether they are staying or going. Many International schools offer a bonus for early acknowledgement of discontinuation of contract. And although I should be a pro at goodbyes and transition by now; it seems to be getting harder and harder to not be so emotionally affected. I have been wondering why, especially in this hi-tech world where Skype, facetime, whatsapp and other forms of staying connected is at your fingertips.
Here are my thoughts as to why I am struggling. It is October, most of us have had the first holiday or break. The school year itself is in full swing and everything is going the way it always goes. Except for that one colleague that moved this summer, or that great student who graduated last May, them not being here has sunk in and it's an unsettling feeling. At the same time we are busy getting to know new colleagues and students and we are trying to understand that new principal or department chair. This is the part that I think some of us struggle with; we are still grieving that everyday friendship that is no longer just a walk down the hallway. And at the same time we are being brave and welcoming a new person who we seem to be connecting with. And just as I get ready to take a deep breath and say “ I’m okay, I’m ready to transition into this new school year, I can handle the changes”, I get hit by the fact that someone else has just decided that it is time for them to move on in June or even December. Wow! Feelings of imbalance and upheaval are no longer just for the summertime or even at the end of the calendar year; no, they now happen all the time. I am constantly transitioning and it makes me feel off kilter; and I am an adult who has lived this life for a long time.
This makes me wonder how my students are doing? Not only are they dealing with the physiological and psychological changes that any teen goes through; they have this added challenge of finding some “calm” in a constantly changing setting. It’s October, they have only just had 2 months to create a new “normal” since their friends have left, 8 weeks to get an understanding of this new teacher, 56 days to be in a new grade with all the academic expectations that come with that. A very short time to reach out and meet someone new and yikes “goodbye season” is already knocking at the door. What happened to just being and savouring the moment.
I guess here is where I feel as the TCK Teacher that my focus lies; awareness amongst us all. That many of us are finding this transition cycle challenging and will continue to do so because of the lifestyle choices that we have made. To create room to breathe and speak and share our stories. To acknowledge that the pace of International schools, at times, is not conducive to living in the moment. To question whether the strong drive for Academics is overshadowing the need for more socio-emotional support for our International students and teachers? To start a conversation amongst ourselves where we celebrate the wonderful things that make up an International lifestyle and where we come up with ways to address and support the not so wonderful ones.
Until then, be patient with yourself, your family, your students and your colleagues; it’s a tricky time of school year!
